School Committee candidates offer views

MILFORD - Three candidates battling for two School Committee seats in April 7's town election struck similar stances last night in a special education-themed forum at the high school.

Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff

Three candidates battling for two School Committee seats in April 7's town election struck similar stances last night in a special education-themed forum at the high school.

Incumbents William Besozzi and William Kingkade Jr. and political newcomer Christine Boyle faced off talking about bullying and short staffing.

They got most passionate while answering a question about the law that dictates special needs students with low MCAS scores now can't receive high school diplomas.

"It's a tough issue. It's a tough answer. It's emotional. It's heartbreaking," Kingkade said in his answer, which was limited to 90 seconds. "I'm getting red in the face because it angers me ... it's a state mandate."

A high school degree today is invaluable, all three candidates agreed, while emphatically arguing the law must be changed.

"It doesn't make any sense to a parent," Boyle said. "I'm not sure how we fight it, except (by being) vocal."

She said pressure must be put on the Department of Education.

"It is a statewide issue that needs to be addressed," Besozzi said.

The three suggested advocating to state lawmakers.

Besozzi, currently the committee's chairman, suggested that the state might send someone to see the accomplishments special needs students have made in Milford.

"Do they really know what these kids are doing in the life skills program with Jen Walsh every single day?" he asked. "There's got to be an alternative way for them to assess," besides the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.

The forum, televised live on local access Channel 11, was moderated by former School Committee member Jose Costa and sponsored by the Milford Parents Advisory Council for Special Education.

Candidates were posed questions submitted by the parents, teachers and staff, with each candidate getting a turn to answer.

One subject was how to handle special education teachers being "stretched too thin."

The candidates sympathized with the problem, which becomes a conflict between budget dollars and need.

"It just has to be made a priority," Kingkade said.

"There's never going to be enough teachers or enough staff," Boyle said.

They all pointed to communication - especially with parents - as a key marker to gauge whether Barbara Cataldo, the district's new assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, is doing a good job.

Kingkade said communication is key anyhow for committee members and members of the school community.

"We have to be accessible, we are accessible, so access us," he joked.

One question was about a space crunch - particularly with plans to build a new Woodland Elementary School pushed back for several years - and how that jeopardizes learning for special education students.

Boyle said it's a difficult task that must be managed by building administrators and staff.

"I think they will have to be creative in that space," she said.

"I don't know how much more creative we can be," Besozzi quipped.

Costa asked the candidates about the concern of bullying in schools.

Kingkade said teachers need to be taught warning signs, especially at a time when "the big expression is 'don't rat."'

Speakers should be brought in to talk about the subject, he said.

"Milford is a zero tolerance town for this type of behavior," Kingkade said.

Boyle said the district should create a firm anti-bullying culture and have programs for kids in the younger grades.

"I think you lay those foundations at a young age and it's going to continue on," she said.

Besozzi said it's an important issue, apparent by shocking current events that make you say, "Oh my God, can you believe that?" when you see the news.

In terms of combating the problem, he said it's important to target the fact that with bullying and similar activities, "a lot of it does start at home."

Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-634-7521 or dameden@cnc.com.

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